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OTHER
ADVICE FOR HELPING STUDENTS
Understanding
reactions to tragedy and knowing how to help
"There
are many issues to keep in mind as we work through this tragedy.
First of all, remember that even
this horrific event brings to light the critical role you play as
a staff member in your hall. Your presence, your ability to listen
to and to help students, as well as your knowledge of campus
resources really makes a difference for students coping with this
event.
During
the aftermath of this event, be sure to check on how students are
doing. Many may be impacted in a variety of ways, including loss
of a loved one, emotions from a past tragedy coming up, as well as
the potential for discrimination against students who appear to be
of Arab origin, which is an unfortunate reaction to many terrorist
events. Be aware that emotions will come in waves as more
information comes in about death tolls, friends who are impacted,
etc.
Remember
that by listening and practicing some basic helping skills, you
can do a lot to help students cope. Make yourself and your
residents aware of what resources are being offered in the campus
and community. Also, don't take on more than you can handle.
We all need to deal with this, and most residence life staff
members are not professional counselors. Do what you can to offer
support and opportunities to cope. A hug, a listening ear, or a
caring word might be just what a resident needs. As always, be
sure you are paying attention to yourself during this time. You
can't support others if you aren't getting the support you need as
well."
Dan
Oltersdorf
ResidentAssistant.com
Hall Director - Florida State University
"Our
residents may experience this tragedy in different ways: It is
important that we address this situation. Our Americans may
become sad, angry or disillusioned. They may have lost family or
friends. They may also begin to express anti-foreign views. I know
that I feel an overwhelming sadness right now and simply cannot
believe this has happened.
We
need to help our American students understand the actions of a few
do not reflect the opinions of the many. Rationally we know
that Tech students were not involved, but Terrorist attacks create
a wave of hate that could impact our campus.
Our students from the Middle East will most likely experience
prejudice in new ways in Atlanta. I encourage them to talk to each
other or to you or me if they feel threatened. I would also
suggest that they be particularly aware of their environments when
they are off campus."
Holly
Habicht
Residence Life Coordinator ,
Graduate and Family Housing
Georgia Institute of Technology
"The
issue that comes to mind readily for me is that people deal with
tragedy differently. Some may become overtly angry. Others may
internalize the anger. Some may go "into their cave."
Others may cry openly. Some may self-medicate with alcohol or
drugs. Yet others may ignore the issue. Some people want and need
a hug, a voice or understanding while others may want to be left
alone to deal by it themselves.
It
is important to realize that different people need different
things. One cannot assume, for instance, that because someone
doesn't cry, he/she is heartless and unfeeling. As student affairs
staff we need to be especially attuned to differential needs and
act accordingly."
Gavin
Henning
Research Associate
Student Affairs Research and Assessment Center
University of New Hampshire
"The
one piece of advice that I would offer to all RA's is not to try
to force closure on the issue. I attended school in
Washington DC during the beginning of the Gulf War, and in Los
Angeles during LA Riots, and the one thing that most residents
complained about is that the school assumed too early that all was
OK. These is a difficult issue to deal with and it will
literally be weeks/months before some residents will be able to
process what happened. One of my RA's at our staff meeting
last night summed up the best response by saying, "if a
resident you are talking to says that they are OK, tell them that
is fine, but that your door is always open."
We
have also been posting new school related information as fast as
possible so that the residents do feel some sense of control and
knowledge throughout this process. I would encourage all
staffs to have people assembled to help post flyers and provide
information. We have had an RA in our lobby since yesterday
at 8:30am, and having someone that the residents feel hey can talk
to has been a great resource.
I
would echo any thoughts of concern for residents of Arab
nationality. We have not had any occurrences on our campus,
however our campus police have noted problems at other schools.
I would encourage any RA's to address any residents using
discriminatory language or making threatening statements
immediately, and to contact their supervisor. Last night I
heard several people in town using horrible language, and if it is
happening in the community, it is happening on campus.
Finally,
I would encourage all RA's to continue with any programmatic
activities that they have scheduled. It is most important at
this point to provide residents with a sense of normalcy, and ways
to come together as a community.
Best
of luck to all of you. I have seen the power of college
students in action during the last 24 hours, and it quickly
reminded me of why I do what I do each day. The support and
comfort that Residence Life staffs provided around the country
yesterday was truly amazing."
Sean L. Flaherty
Director of Residence Life and Housing
University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs
To
share additional advice or to request advice, please take
advantage of the ResidentAssistant.com message boards.
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